Being gay in USAFA

Being politically correct has rarely made someone right.... but it has made them safe (for awhile).

Regardless of political correctness.... you'll be just fine, at the academy and in the service.
 
Honestly the most I've seen is variation of the word "fag" and gay of which I've only heard as slang, not intended as derogatory (although you may take it that way regardless). The usage of the word isn't tolerated. Issues like this can be handled easily just by telling the person your offended by their use of the word. Which I've done on a occasion for various words.
 
The only instance of discrimination in the Air Force I've heard of is my friend/staff sergeant saw a lesbian in her office get railroaded by an academy grad for being a lesbian. She got separated for some bs paperwork stuff

I'm army ROTC applying to WP, and the culture is very polar. Most don't give af, but a few are the most vile homophobes I've ever met in my life, cadre included. Since cadre was involved, I couldn't report anything because they told me "you're joining the army, the army isn't joining you"

Edit: in every case, the discrimination was done by relatively uneducated cadre/cadets. Keep that in mind.


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You can always report anything. If a cadre is discriminatory towards you, you should address your chain of command. They will probably be removed from BCT or the Academy. This not tolerated at the Air Force Academy. Last year a Cadre was booted from USAFA for unprofessional speech/conduct during BCT. We take this very seriously.
 
There is a zero tolerance policy for discrimination at USAFA.

Throughout basic training, and your four years here, you will have access to squadron PEERs who are people trained specifically to help deal with situations like this. If anything ever arises, let your PEER know and they will be happy to talk with you and get things sorted out immediately.
 
Zero tolerance for intolerance (let that sink in), but no zero-tolerance for lying, cheatings or stealing...... hmmmmmmmmmm....
 
I believe honor code violations are taken more seriously than anti-gay intolerance. At least at usma, there's a board dedicated for honor code violations...

Edit: would you prefer that harassment be tolerated? I don't see where you're going with your post.


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Bringing up political correctness or honor is a complete red herring to the discussion at hand. Harrassment based on sexual orientation, just like sex, race, etc. is not tolerated. USAFA and the military have several mechanisms in place to alleviate any unjust discrimination. While you are unlikely to need to use them, they are there in the event you do need them.

Good luck in your pursuit and I wish you the best!
 
hornetguy said:
Bringing up political correctness or honor is a complete red herring to the discussion at hand. Harrassment based on sexual orientation, just like sex, race, etc. is not tolerated. USAFA and the military have several mechanisms in place to alleviate any unjust discrimination. While you are unlikely to need to use them, they are there in the event you do need them.

Good luck in your pursuit and I wish you the best!
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I would rather there be zero-tolerance on ALL (at each service academy).

I graduated from CGA before the end of DADT. I was out of the Coast Guard before the end of DADT.

Not long after I found out a classmate of mine from CGA was gay. I saw him on Facebook and shot him a message, letting him know I supported him, was happy he could be happy and hoped he was getting support elsewhere.

I think you'll find that sentiment in many classes. You have classmates you agree with and classmates you don't agree with. You'll like some and dislike some. At the end of the day, you watch out for each other and friends are friends, classmates are classmates.

Contrary to what you read and hear in the news, the military is not one giant gay-bashing organization.
 
LineInTheSand said:
I would rather there be zero-tolerance on ALL (at each service academy).

I graduated from CGA before the end of DADT. I was out of the Coast Guard before the end of DADT.

Not long after I found out a classmate of mine from CGA was gay. I saw him on Facebook and shot him a message, letting him know I supported him, was happy he could be happy and hoped he was getting support elsewhere.

I think you'll find that sentiment in many classes. You have classmates you agree with and classmates you don't agree with. You'll like some and dislike some. At the end of the day, you watch out for each other and friends are friends, classmates are classmates.

Contrary to what you read and hear in the news, the military is not one giant gay-bashing organization.
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I'd agree with this. I haven't seen anything in the media suggesting the military is gay-bashing and certainly don't experience that at all in my day to day life. I know the mechanisms that are available if I ever do have an issue - but I've never felt like I've needed them. It's nice being in a fun but professional environment. :)
 
After reading my last post.... I should point out I'm straight.

And.....

when I was preparing to leave the Coast Guard my mom would tell people "LITS is coming out..."

I would have to immediately jump in "mom, I'm GETTING out!"
 
Thanks again for your answers everybody! I really appreciate it!


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LineInTheSand said:
After reading my last post.... I should point out I'm straight.

And.....

when I was preparing to leave the Coast Guard my mom would tell people "LITS is coming out..."

I would have to immediately jump in "mom, I'm GETTING out!"
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LMAO! Parents. Gotta love 'em.
 
Dude you crazy? First, you shouldn't feel socially threatened in the first place. We're all the same! Second, gay or straight, you've accomplished an amazing feat, just like the rest of us. I'm sure most of us have overcome challenges in our lives, they're all just different. To take on the responsibility and the challenge of a service academy, or even the military in general, says more about you than your sexual orientation. Anyone who tries interfering is everything short of a human, nevertheless an American. We're future leaders, and we're the future of the military. Can't wait to meet you and the rest of my peers as we transition to become greater people.


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About 5 years ago there was a poster on this forum that was very homophobic. He stated how gays did not belong in the military, how he would rather see them get kicked out of the academies etc...
I don't know if anyone remembers his posts. I found them to be ridiculous because my son who at that time was going into his 1st year went to a school that had a lot of gay students and he was and is so tolerant of anyone despite which team they prefer.
 
DevilDog said:
About 5 years ago there was a poster on this forum that was very homophobic. He stated how gays did not belong in the military, how he would rather see them get kicked out of the academies etc...
I don't know if anyone remembers his posts. I found them to be ridiculous because my son who at that time was going into his 1st year went to a school that had a lot of gay students and he was and is so tolerant of anyone despite which team they prefer.
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Yes, and I know someone who doesn't like redheads and won't associate with them (strange but true). Not everyone is going to like you, nor should you expect everyone to like you nor accept you as you are. That's ok, it's their problem. Report it if you truly feel like you're being discriminated against, otherwise, write 'em off. I've learned a long time ago, if someone doesn't like me, I don't have the time nor the inclination to convince them they're wrong about whatever they don't like.
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
Yes, and I know someone who doesn't like redheads and won't associate with them (strange but true). Not everyone is going to like you, nor should you expect everyone to like you nor accept you as you are. That's ok, it's their problem. Report it if you truly feel like you're being discriminated against, otherwise, write 'em off. I've learned a long time ago, if someone doesn't like me, I don't have the time nor the inclination to convince them they're wrong about whatever they don't like.
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That is all well and good, but we are talking about a young person that was getting ready to go to an academy and become a leader of other young people.
 
DevilDog said:
That is all well and good, but we are talking about a young person that was getting ready to go to an academy and become a leader of other young people.
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I assume you're talking about the young man who was homophobic?
I was speaking to the OP. The young man to whom you were referring is most likely not even reading this. Nothing I say on this forum will change his mind. You can only hope that his time at the Academy has taught him to treat everyone fairly, regardless of his own personal beliefs. You will not get everyone to agree 100% of the time on everything. I've worked on too many committees to be that naive.
 
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